Salem Al-Dossary hat-trick powers Al Hilal to wild 5-3 win over Al Raed
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Hilal claimed their first win under interim head coach Mohammed Al Shalhoub with a thrilling 5-3 victory over bottom-placed Al Raed on Thursday in Matchweek 30 of the Saudi Pro League.
Club captain Salem Al Dawsari led the charge with a brilliant hat-trick to help the reigning champions bounce back after their AFC Champions League Elite semi-final exit to Al Ahli and the subsequent departure of Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus.
Al Hilal took the lead in the 32nd minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic found the net, before Al Dawsari doubled the advantage nine minutes later with a sharp finish from inside the box.
Kareem El Berkaoui pulled one back for Al Raed just before halftime, blasting in from close range to make it 2-1.
Al Hilal regained control early in the second half. Al Dawsari scored again in the 59th minute with a low strike, and Malcom added the fourth goal in the 66th after a well-worked team move.
El Berkaoui, however, responded almost immediately, capitalizing on a misjudgment from Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to score his second of the night.
Al Dawsari completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute with a stunning solo effort, cutting inside from the left and rifling a shot into the top corner to make it 5-2.
Al Raed were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, which Saleh Al Amri converted for the game's final goal, but it did little to alter the outcome.
The win takes Al Hilal up to 65 points in second place, three behind league leaders Al Ittihad. Al Raed remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 21 points and are facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
The victory also marked a promising start for Al Shalhoub in his first senior managerial assignment, with Al Hilal showing renewed attacking flair and purpose.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia face uphill task against Australia in World Cup qualifier
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia must deliver a miracle on Tuesday if they are to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing to beat Australia by at least five goals in their final Group C fixture of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26. Herve Renard's men kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bahrain last week, moving to 13 points — three behind second-placed Australia. But with a goal difference heavily in the Socceroos' favor, only a lopsided victory will be enough to leapfrog them in the standings. 'The door is almost closed, but we must try and qualify,' Renard said after the Bahrain match. 'We have to score goals. Everything must go very well for us if we are to qualify.' Saudi Arabia's biggest challenge remains their scoring inefficiency. They've managed just six goals across nine qualifiers, while Australia have netted 14 and conceded six in the same stretch. Australia, under new coach Tony Popovic, only need to avoid a five-goal defeat to book their seventh straight World Cup appearance. Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September after a poor start to the campaign and has since overseen a dramatic turnaround. 'We're in a great position, but we need to finish it off,' Popovic said. 'It's been a really intense period, but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do.' Group leaders Japan have already secured top spot. If Saudi Arabia fail to pull off the required win, they will join the likes of UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers in October, where two additional spots for Asia will be contested. The Saudis now face their most daunting test yet. Only a performance of historic proportions against Australia in Jeddah will keep their direct World Cup dreams alive.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi PIF Partners with FIFA for 2025 Club World Cup
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and world football association FIFA have announced PIF as an official partner of FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. The partnership reflects the shared vision of FIFA and PIF to enable greater participation in sports by unlocking new opportunities, fostering innovation, and engaging fans around the world. With a focus on youth, the partnership will provide opportunities for young people, supporting FIFA in its efforts to engage and inspire at a grassroots level. The new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 marks a fresh chapter for professional club football on the global stage. It will feature 32 of the world's top football clubs, bringing together champions from all six FIFA confederations for a month-long tournament in 11 cities across the United States. Football is the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia and globally. The Saudi public will follow the tournament, where Al-Hilal Club participates as a representative of the Asian continent. 'We are delighted to welcome PIF as a partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™,' said FIFA chief business officer Romy Gai. 'Together, we look forward to delivering a historic tournament that inspires and unites fans from around the world.' 'The partners of the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup believe in our vision to make football truly global. Their support of the tournament will not only be integral to its success but will underpin investment in supporting the development of club football everywhere,' Gai said. PIF head of corporate brand Mohammed AlSayyad said: 'PIF is creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports including through its partnerships, delivering positive and lasting results at every level, from players and fans to host communities.' 'PIF is at the forefront of growing football around the world following our CONCACAF partnership announced last year and our continued investment in football. We are unlocking opportunities to drive the growth of the sport around the world,' AlSayyad said. Football plays a crucial role in the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia, and as host of the FIFA World Cup 2034, reinforces the country's ambition to grow the game globally, create new opportunities for all, and extend its benefits in Saudi Arabia and every part of the world for generations to come. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be played in 12 stadiums across 11 US host cities. The 63-match tournament will culminate with what promises to be a spectacular final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside of New York City, on July 13, when the FIFA club world champion will be crowned.
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain to stay in World Cup qualification hunt
Saudi Gazette report RIFFA — Saudi Arabia kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 on Thursday. The result lifted Herve Renard's side to 13 points, setting up a decisive showdown with group leaders Australia next Tuesday. The Saudis must win that match by at least four goals to overtake the Socceroos on goal difference and secure second place. The Green Falcons asserted themselves early at Bahrain National Stadium. A long-range pass from Hassan Al Tambakti found Ali Majrashi in space, but the fullback's second touch allowed Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to close down quickly. Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 16th minute. Captain Salem Al Dawsari delivered a pinpoint first-time cross to the far post, where Musab Al Juwayr — recently named Saudi Pro League Young Player of the Season — calmly sidefooted the ball home. Bahrain responded with long-range efforts from Komail Al Aswad and Mohamed Marhoon, but neither troubled Saudi keeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. Al Dawsari had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute after a clever through-ball from Aiman Yahya, but his chipped finish drifted just over the bar. After the break, Saudi Arabia pressed for a second. Feras Albrikan had the ball in the net just before the hour mark, but the goal was disallowed for offside in the buildup. Bahrain nearly equalized in the 68th minute, but Marhoon's strike off a low cross from Ebrahim Alkhatal struck the post. Five minutes later, Al Aqidi produced a double save to deny Vincent Emmanuel and Mahdi Abduljabbar in quick succession. With Bahrain pushing forward in search of a goal, Saudi Arabia capitalized. In the closing minutes, Majrashi played a through ball to substitute Abduralrahman Alobud, who finished clinically to seal the 2-0 win. Saudi Arabia now face a high-stakes final group match against Australia, where only a convincing +5 goals win will send them directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
